“
I think the most prudent thing to do is to go to Isogorr to deal with Drexus. With her removed from the situation and in all probability Madeira on that throne, we will have a powerful force behind her working towards a common goal. What do you think Aerassis?”
Wollfen considered what he was saying. It made sense. With Drexus out of the way, Madeira could quickly bring the Isogorrean army to heel if the King of Isogorr didn’t make waves.
“
I would have to agree with Luthein on this. It would be the most logical first step. Madeira can orchestrate things from Isogorr and deal with the war from her end. Also that means we are free to deal with the question on finding the staircase and freeing Lord Vincent.” Luthein made a noise.
“
Have we decided that releasing a force, even if it is good, of such magnitude into the world would be the best option?” Wollfen didn’t think they had much choice.
“
I can think of no other way to combat this entity that has a single focus of destruction of everything. Lord Vincent would be the exact opposite of that. Being a part of creation of this world, he would have the capabilities to deal with it.” Luthein considered Wollfen’s words very carefully before replying.
“
As counsel to the King I must say that I find no flaw with Aerassis’ argument. There simply is no other force in existence to combat the entity as we know it. As such I make the recommendation that we adopt the position that we must release Lord Vincent.”
The King looked to the Queen and they had a mental conference of their own. Then they turned back to the others and King Elyssur addressed them all.
“
We agree that the recommendation is valid and as such lend full powers to the two of you to execute this mission. Whatever is needed is now at your disposal.” Both Luthein and Wollfen nodded in return and Madeira felt she should speak up again.
“
I too agree with what has been decided and should I find myself in power in Isogorr then all its resources shall be at your disposal as well.”
Two statements, one by an acknowledged leader and one leader to be, two nations were to be bent towards a single task. Wollfen and Luthein looked to each other in a little wonder. If the Kingdom had been here then it would have been a cooperative effort never before seen.
The rest of the day was spent with Luthein organizing and orchestrating even more research on recent history, in particular the lists of crystals Drexus had originally been charged with destroying. They had no idea of what she still had and checking the records would give them a good idea of which ones she had eliminated up to that last day all those years ago.
Meanwhile Wollfen took the opportunity to take a trip to the elven forge nearby and see another old friend called Dhee. She was the only raven-haired elf he had ever known of and she was a bit of an outcast amongst her own kind for it. No one knew how it came about but it did set her apart from the others.
Wollfen entered the forge area and was immediately hit by the heat. Dhee was busy it seemed. He saw her in the corner working a length of steel on an anvil and as he approached she spied him and gave a little smile. He waited patiently for her to finish the immediate task and after beating the steel for a while she then slid it into the coals of the forge and turned to him.
“
Good day Aerassis, it has been a long time.” They had a courteous hug and Wollfen stood back.
“
Hello Dhee. It has been quite awhile yes, you haven’t changed a bit.”
“
I was supposed to?”
Wollfen rolled his eyes at her in mock derision, she was a rather reserved and quietly spoken woman.
“
So tell me Wollfen. I heard you had come back. I hope you have been traveling well in these times.”
“
As good as can be expected I guess.” Dhee grunted at him.
“
That means you are in the thick of it again as always, you don’t fool me.” He smiled at her.
“
I’m kind of hoping you may be able to help me out.”
“
Go on, it’s always interesting to hear what you have to say.” Wollfen went on,
“
A little while ago I took a crossbow bolt in the chest and as you can imagine it wasn’t a pleasant experience at all. It also laid me up for a week.”
“
A whole week eh? My, my, you must be getting old hmm? So I suppose you would like some sort of armor protection for your chest that is light weight and comfortable right?” Wollfen nodded. “Take your shirt off and let’s have a look at you.”
Wollfen complied and Dhee moved up and began measuring. Wollfen couldn’t help but ask questions.
“
Wouldn’t it be better to have something on then measure me? I would have thought some undergarment and then the armor would be best to prevent chafing, not to mention any armor would be cold.” Dhee shook her head.
“
I need to know your actual bodily measurements to make an armor piece that will have its own lining. This way it will be a snug fit. You don’t want it to be loose otherwise if you take a heavy blow you can literally bounce around inside it and sustain even more injuries.”
“
Well you are the expert.”
“
That’s right and don’t you forget it.” Dhee stood back satisfied with what she had worked out. “Oh and if you want this done anytime soon you will stay today with me and help. My apprentice took sick yesterday and won’t be back for a few days.” Wollfen almost had his shirt back on and removed it again.
“
Tell me what to do and I will help.”
Dhee spent the rest of the day with his helping hand paneling the finest thinnest sheet of steel that Wollfen had ever seen. It was incredibly light too. He often wondered how it was that there was such a huge difference between the skills and knowledge of elves and the human race.
They spent the next three days working that same single piece and matching the one for his back. To Wollfen’s eyes it looked the same at the end of each day. Dhee would test fit it to him and then she would go back to beating it some more and refit it again. Each time Wollfen focused on feeling a difference but could not sense any. Dhee though made out like it was the most ill fitting piece she had ever created. At the end of three days she was finally satisfied and sent him away,
“
Come back in two days when its finished.” And that was that.
Madeira spent some time wandering the city walking around and keeping well back from the edges. She had been here over four days and she still couldn’t get used to the height they were at. It had struck her as curious that she had not seen a single flake of snow fall on those high walkways, it reminded her of just how much magic was working here. She had become used to the feeling rising up her limbs through her bare feet. In fact she felt like it had accentuated her powers beyond just giving her a charge too. She did feel like her capacity for magic had been heightened being here.
Was that why Wollfen was so powerful? Were all elves as powerful as him? No, she seemed to remember something mentioned about that. They all acknowledged that he was an enigma, more so for being just human in their eyes too. It was one of the reasons that the elves had so much respect for him. She came to notice that too, wherever she went she did feel like she was being looked down upon, sometimes even pitied. She wondered about who he really was? Would he one day say so?
She spotted Wollfen coming along from a distance. He stood out from the others for being so different. He had not the long straight blonde hair of an elf nor was he quite as tall. He moved more like a prowling animal. True to his name she realized, yes, he was a wolf in a human body. Watching, considering, always on the alert, a loner who had only a few close to him, his wolf pack and always on the prowl.
“
Hello my dear, how have you been today?”
“
I have to admit, it hasn’t been the best.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “The place is pleasant enough I will give you that but the native’s attitudes leave something to be desired.” He laughed.
“
Yeah, I understand what you mean. It took over a hundred years before they accepted me here. They are rather insular, but you do get used to it.” Madeira was looking at him now, questioning.
“
You said one day you would tell me who you were? Would it be too much to ask if you could tell me now?” Wollfen looked at her realizing he had been lax with her.
“
Yes, shall we sit somewhere to talk?”
She nodded and Wollfen led them away. They found a bench under an over hanging branch. It gave a beautiful view of the tree line in the distance. They sat down and Madeira quietly waited for Wollfen to collect his thoughts.
“
There isn’t too much to tell but here goes. I am a little over 400 years old. I have been doing Lord Vincent’s work all these years traveling the land and influencing it from time to time to make sure things go in the right direction.” Madeira sat there looking at him.
“
Four hundred you say?” He nodded, “How is it that no one knows of your previous history?” Wollfen pursed his lips.
“
It is a bit involved but to make it simple I can tell you that it does take a bit of juggling on my part. The elves are quite aware of who I am and would have a full history tucked away on me I’m sure. But when it comes to human history, I have avoided as much as possible leaving an ‘imprint’ for want of a better word. I have made sure that I don’t ever hold any official position that required records of my existence being taken down. It does happen now and again and it is unavoidable but as time goes by records get put away and forgotten. Especially if you disappear for say twenty years at a time. I have done that many times over the years. I would come here to live with the elves until I felt it was safe to move out again and most people have either died of old age or I go to a region I haven’t been before.” Madeira didn’t like the sound of that at all.
“
That sounds sad really, to keep yourself distant from people you would develop feelings for. I can’t imagine that would have a good affect on even a normal person. But for it to happen to someone who has lived so many years and to be stuck with living with this kind here.”
“
No really, it isn’t that bad, you get used to their ways after awhile. And there is much here you can come to appreciate too. I do not have many regrets Madeira, don’t feel sorry.” She smiled at him.
“
Thank you for telling me, you make a lot more sense to me now.” She got up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “So tell me old fart, when do we get to blow this joint?” Wollfen chuckled.
“
Soon enough, I have bad news though.”
“
What is that?”
“
I have to return to Port Volarus for a week before we go to Isogorr, so you will have to wait even longer, either here or back in the Port.” Madeira didn’t hesitate in choosing.
“
Oh I will want to go back to Port Volarus. This place is nice enough, but I really don’t want to stay.”
“
Okay, as soon as I have things organized you and I can slip back for a week then we shall be back here. After that things will happen.”
Two days later Wollfen fronted up at Dhee’s forge again. She waved him in and as he approached Dhee pointed to the table where there was an object sitting covered in a cloth. They both approached it and Dhee paused before pulling the cloth off.
“
Ready?”
“
I have been ready for days.”
She smiled at his comment, pulled the cloth away and Wollfen gave a little intake of breath. It was stunning. He had been expecting a chest plate polished to chrome like the other elves had, but this one was black as the night and still shiny too. It glinted with the forges light flickering over it. On the middle of it was a beautiful engraving of a wolf’s head done in a dark gray. Its mouth was open and the head tilted up as if it was about to howl at the moon. He reached forward and lightly ran his finger over the image expecting to feel the ridges of the outline but the surface of the armor was perfectly smooth and he had to ask her.
“
Is this all painted on?” Dhee shook her head.
“
No not at all, the surface of the steel is imbued with color, it will not come off.”
Wollfen lifted the armor with both hands staring at it. He bounced it a little in his hands and was amazed at how light it was. He doubted he would even feel the weight once it was on. Feeling inside he also realized the padding was very thin but firm. He went to put it on and Dhee tut tutted him.
“
No, it isn’t meant to be worn over a garment. I made it so you could wear it underneath your shirt. Something discreet, I knew you would appreciate that.”
Wollfen put it down. He slipped his shirt over his head and then began to place the armor on. Once he had it in place he began buckling the leather straps on the side and found they all helped to fit the armor quite snugly around him. Wollfen walked around the room a bit and bent down and up again, testing it for flexibility. It felt good.